SB International Orchid Show

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The Orchid Show is nearly here!

The 77th Santa Barbara International Orchid Show “Exotic Gardens” will be held at Earl Warren Showgrounds Friday-Sunday, March 7, 8, and 9, 2025, 9:00 am-5:00 pm.  Complete information on the show is on their website SBIOS.

Note:  The March 5, 2025, the OSSB monthly meeting and AOS Judging are Cancelled.

Want to see the orchids at their freshest before the doors open?  Here’s how:

OSSB Display Setup:  Wed, March 5, 9:00 am-1:00 pm.  Bring your orchids in for the Society Display.  Assist Display Designer Phil Watt with installing the display.  From lights to theme props, and of course orchids of all descriptions, you get to experience setting up an orchid display and insider’s access to the exhibit hall.

Phil has asked members to bring plants and lights.  We need plants!!  Do you have something in bloom?  Clean it up and bring it in on Wed, March 5, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm.  He will be at the show starting at 9:00 am to receive plants.  The earlier the better so he has an idea of where to place them in the display.  The cutoff time is 1:00 pm, to allow time to write the labels and place them.

Ribbon Judging:  Thurs, March 6, arrive before 9:00 am.  Be an Orchid Judge during the Ribbon Judging session.  A team effort, ribbon judging lets you get to know the details of exhibits and the orchids on display as you hunt down the judging entries for your expert evaluation.  Your team will be led by an experienced judge who will explain what to look for in the best orchids.  Registration BEFORE WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19 is required.  Register online:  https://sborchidshow.com/register-to-judge/.  Lunch is available for ribbon judges for $10.

OSSB Sales Booth:  Fri, Sat and Sun, March 7, 8, and 9, 9:00 am-5:00 pm, JOIN US to staff the Society sales booth in the Sales hall.  We really need everyone in the Society to help cover all 3 days for a couple of hours minimum.  For some, while shows are nice, Shopping is the real thrill.  We will have plants donated by members.  Bring your divisions and spare plants to the sales booth before 9:00 am on Friday for this once-a-year fund-raising opportunity!

Register Plants:  Got something fantastic to display?  Orchids need to sign up too.  Register your plants for judging via online until 7:00 pm on Tues, March 4 or in person at the show before 6:00 pm on Wed, March 5.  See the Exhibitor Guide on the show website to fill in the plant registration forms.

Volunteer:  Be sure to check out the Volunteers page and sign up to donate a few hours to make this show one of the best in the world.

Visit our local nurseries on the California Orchid Trail!  On the main page of the Show website scroll down for a map and list of orchid nurseries that will be open during show weekend including Cal-Orchid, Santa Barbara Orchid Estate, Gallup & Stribling Orchids, Westerlay Orchids, Ambriz Kingdom of Plants and Orchids Royale (by appointment).  See the show website for full details SBIOS.

Orchid Society of Santa Barbara Meeting – February 12, 2025, 7:30 pm

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“Coelogyne, My First Love”

Our February meeting will be a live presentation by AOS Judge and award photographer Arthur Pinkers on the genus Coelogyne.

Speaker

“Coelogyne, My First Love” by Arthur Pinkers

There is a long association between romance and flowers, especially orchids.  Our speaker Arthur Pinkers will share his experiences with these natives of southeast Asia and their gorgeous flowers.  The genus Coelogyne is very diverse, and Arthur will explore some of the warm and cool growing species, their culture and some of the hybrids that are commonly available.  These wonderful plants can provide very showy specimens on relatively small plants and should be a part of everyone’s collection.

Arthur Pinkers has been an orchid enthusiast since he was sixteen and now has more than forty years of growing experience. He grew up in the Seattle area and graduated from Washington University Bellingham where he studied Chemistry and Biology.  Arthur is an AOS judge and has served as an officer for many orchid societies and is one of the photographers for the Pacific South Judging Center. Though he has an interest in a wide variety of orchids, botanicals are a special draw to him for their diversity and charm. 

2025 Membership Dues

Annual membership fee is $40 for individuals, $50 per household.  Due in January, pay no later than March.  See Angela Watt during the meeting.

Location Reminder

We are now meeting at Maravilla on the 2nd Wednesday.  Directions:  From Calle Real, enter Maravilla and bear left.  On the right is a lawn with a flagpole.  The meeting rooms are to the left of the lawn/flagpole.  To park, continue to drive around a loop that will lead you to the parking lot.  Additional parking is available to the right as you drive in, any parking space without a number is available.  Meeting Rooms:  AOS Judging in the Galleria Room, Orchid Society in the Valencia Room. OSSB on the web:  Orchid Society of Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara 77th International Orchid Show “Exotic Gardens”

Earl Warren Showgrounds, 3400 Calle Real, Santa Barbara CA.  Open to the Public:  7-9 March, 9 am to 5 pm

You are invited to participate in Ribbon Judging:  6 March, starts at 9 am. Ribbon judges work in small teams awarding ribbons to orchids entered for judging at the show.  At the Santa Barbara International Orchid Show, the ribbon judging focus is on education and fun!  There are so many reasons you should participate, even if you are brand new to orchids!

No experience is necessary!  Your will work with a small group of hobbyists led by an American Orchid Society (AOS) Accredited Judge who will teach you all that you need to know to vote for the best orchids.  Beginners and novices are totally welcome and strongly encouraged to join! 

You will learn so much about orchids!  Your AOS judge will teach you all about the qualities of all the orchids your team evaluates and answer all your questions.  The judging team process is very interactive, and you are encouraged to participate fully.  However, if you are more comfortable observing quietly, that is fine too. 

You will see the orchids and displays in prime condition and without crowds.  The orchid show is not open to the public on judging day.  You will see the plants and displays at their freshest and very best.

Lunch is available for ribbon judges.  The Santa Barbara International Orchid Show is sponsoring these events for ribbon judges in order to support both experienced hobbyists and welcome novices to the world of orchids.  However, you must register in advance at: https://sborchidshow.com/register-to-judge/  If you register BEFORE WEDNESDAY, FEBRURY 19, you can purchase lunch there for $10.

You will meet new people.  Ribbon judges work together in small groups.  Take time to talk with your teammates and meet people from other areas and orchid societies.  It is easy to make new friends who share your orchid passion.

You will have fun!  What could possibly be better than a whole morning of orchids with kindred “orchidaholics” in beautiful Santa Barbara?   

Remember to register in advance at https://sborchidshow.com/register-to-judge/

Orchid Society of Santa Barbara Meeting – January 8, 2025, 7:30 pm

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“Dendrobiums of New Guinea”

Our January 2025 meeting will be a virtual trip with AOS Orchid Judge Carol Klonowski to see dendrobium orchids in New Guinea.

American Orchid Society Webinar by Carol Klonowski – recorded on June 15, 2023

2025 Membership Dues: Annual membership fee is $40 for individuals, $50 per household.  Due in January, pay no later than March.  See Angela Watt during the meeting.

Location Reminder: We are now meeting at Maravilla on the 2nd Wednesday.  Directions:  From Calle Real, enter Maravilla and bear left.  On the right is a lawn with a flagpole.  The meeting rooms are to the left of the lawn/flagpole.  To park, continue to drive around a loop that will lead you to the parking lot.  Additional parking is available to the right as you drive in, any parking space without a number is available.  Meeting Rooms:  AOS Judging in the Galleria Room, Orchid Society in the Valencia Room.

James Rose

We have recently been made aware of the passing of James Rose of Cal-Orchid.  He and his wife Lauris Rose co-owned Cal-Orchid nursery here in Santa Barbara.   When available, the Orchid Society of Santa Barbara website will include additional information regarding this sad event.

Orchid Society of Santa Barbara Meeting – December 11, 2024, 7:30 pm

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“OSSB Holiday Treats and Q&A with Orchid Experts”

Phragmepedium besseae ‘Jupiter’

Celebrate orchids at the OSSB wrap up meeting for 2024.  Bring your favorite holiday treats (Yay treats!!) to share.  Also bring any questions you have about your orchid growing problems for a Q & A with our local orchid experts.  We will recap the year’s programs and give a look forward to our program plans for 2025, including both live and streamed talks and practical potting demonstrations.

If you haven’t been to a meeting lately, there have been some recent updates including:

  • A beautiful new meeting location at Maravilla with comfortable seating, a terrific digital display system and improved sound system.
  • Recorded talks by orchid experts from the American Orchid Society (AOS). 
  • Return of the Member Plant Show table at the start of each meeting for members to show & discuss their orchids. 

Directions:  From Calle Real, enter Maravilla and bear left.  On the right is a lawn with a flagpole.  The meeting rooms are to the left of the lawn/flagpole.  To park, continue to drive around a loop that will lead you to the parking lot.  Additional parking is available to the right as you drive in, any parking space without a number is available.  Meeting Rooms:  AOS Judging in the Galleria Room, Orchid Society in the Valencia Room.

Orchid Society of Santa Barbara Meeting – November 13, 2024, 7:30 pm

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Phalaenopsis:  From Soup to Nuts

American Orchid Society Webinar by David Edgley – recorded February 7, 2024

We will join Accredited Judge and Chair of the AOS Judging Committee, David Edgley, for a wonderful panorama of Phalaenopsis breeding and the culture needed to grow these delightful orchids.

Phalaenopsis hybrids, also known as moth orchids, are the most popular orchids available commercially today.  In nature the species range from Sri Lanka and southern India to New Guinea and northeast Australia, extending as far north as southern China, and are especially rich in the Philippines and Borneo.  Most are found in hot, steamy lowlands and a few have adapted to higher altitudes with cooler climates.  Habitats are usually moist and humid year-round under dense- to partial-shade near streams in rain forests.  Lacking storage organs, most do not survive in seasonal climates.  They grow as epiphytes or occasionally lithophytes.  Their large and colorful flowers have been extensively bred to produce the hybrids we see today.  Breeders select for superior size, color, form and lasting qualities.  The best performers are mass-produced via tissue culture in areas with optimal labor costs and growing facilities, then shipped around the world.  In cultivation, Phalaenopsis require warm conditions year-round and slightly higher light levels than species in nature to produce better flowering.  Potting medium should retain some moisture between waterings without becoming soggy. 

Orchid Society of Santa Barbara Meeting – October 9, 2024, 7:30 pm

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A Colombian Orchid Adventure

American Orchid Society Webinar by Ron Parsons – recorded on November 5, 2020

September Meeting

The Orchid Society of Santa Barbara moved our monthly meeting location to Maravilla Senior Living Community starting in September.  Many thanks to Sandra Tillisch-Svoboda for coordinating the space and to Jerry McRoberts for helping her, and to other society members for providing homemade refreshments.

Bryce sends particular thanks to Daniel and Chris Geiger for bringing a splendid group of species orchids for show and tell, making our first meeting at Maravilla a complete success.

October Meeting

Keeping on the theme of beautiful Masdevallia orchids as presented by Sandra in September, in October we will take a virtual trip to see the orchids of Colombia with renowned author and photographer Ron Parsons.  Join us for a webinar from the American Orchid Society (AOS) by Ron Parsons on his orchid travels in Colombia.

Ron Parsons has been growing orchids for nearly 49 years and has been interested in the species for most of that time. He loves to photograph orchids and other flowers whenever he can and does so as often as possible. Ron has more than 100,000 digital images, most of which are of orchids, and still retains a slide library that exceeds 100,000 botanical images. He has presented more than 500 talks on various botanical topics and has nearly 6500 published photos.

Ron has co-authored four books on botanical subjects, all with Mary E. Gerritsen. The first two, published by Timber Press, are Masdevallias, Gems of the Orchid World and Calochortus, Mariposa Lilies and their Relatives. Their third book, a two-volume set, A Compendium of Miniature Orchid Species was published by Redfern Natural History Productions in January 2014. In 2019 The American Orchid Society Guide to Orchids and their Culture was released and is in its third printing. They have recently completed a fifth book, a much-revised second edition of A Compendium of Miniature Orchids Species. It is now in four volumes with 3100 photos (1800 of those are new), including those of more than 500 species not in the first edition. The set was released in early October 2021.

If you want to learn more about Masdevallias as presented in September by Sandra Tillisch-Svoboda, here are the references.

The AOS hosts seminars on a wide range of orchid topics that are available online to AOS members and to the public at https://www.aos.org/

Orchid Society of Santa Barbara – September 11, 2024 Meeting, 7:30 pm (New meeting location)

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Our speaker on September 11th will be Sandra Tillisch Svoboda!

Sandra Tillisch Svoboda: “Those Amazing Masdevallias”

About the Speaker:
Growing up in Minnesota, Sandra’s only exposure to orchids was that prom corsage. She began her orchid life as a pot washer for her late husband Al and became fascinated with the history of her husband’s complex paph collection, which included many oldies like Paph. F. C. Puddle. Al’s knowledge, love, and enthusiasm for orchids were contagious. When they built a second greenhouse, Sandra decided it would be hers, and that was when orchids became an important part of her life. Sandra is editor-in-chief of the Orchid Digest. She has served as president of the American Orchid Society, World Orchid Conference Trust, Cymbidium Society of America, and the Orchid Digest. Locally, she was president of the Orchid Society of Santa Barbara and the local branch of the Cymbidium Society. Sandra served on the Santa Barbara International Orchid Show board and, for several years, was the show manager of this prestigious show, one of the largest in the nation. Sandra is a senior accredited judge in the American Orchid Society. Besides the plants themselves and the never-ending opportunity to learn about them, Sandra loves being involved in the orchid world because it offers an opportunity to travel, meet, and work with many amazing and fascinating people.

Program:  “Those Amazing Masdevallias”
Sandra will share the diversity of the flowers of the species of the amazing genus, Masdevallia. The talk will include general culture information for each species, AOS award information, and where species is found in its native habitat.

Important Announcement – NEW meeting location starting September 2024

Address
Maravilla Senior Living Community
5500 Calle Real
Santa Barbara, CA 93111

Parking
Main lot (to the left as you enter the property).  For additional parking, as you enter turn right, then the first left.  Any parking space without a number is available.

Meeting Rooms
AOS Judging:  Galleria Room
Orchid Society Meeting:  Valencia Room
The judging and meeting rooms are next to each other. The Club House is straight ahead as you enter the property, and there is a putting green to the left of the Club House. The closest entrance to the rooms is to the left as you face the putting green. I will see if there is a way to put up a sign. If you go through the main entrance, you must sign in and get a pass.

Orchid Society of Santa Barbara – August 18, 2024 Meeting, 12:30 pm at SBOE

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The August meeting is on Sunday, August 18th at 12:30 pm.  This meeting will be a Summer Potluck Picnic and Silent Auction at Santa Barbara Orchid Estate!

Celebrate summer with the Orchid Society of Santa Barbara at the Santa Barbara Orchid Estate located at 1250 Orchid Drive.

A great time to relax with your orchid friends amongst the summer blooming orchids at beautiful SBOE!

Potluck
Bring your favorite picnic food:  main course, side dish or salad, and dessert. Remember to bring your own plate, utensils (if you forget there are usually enough to go around), and beverage.  SBOE will provide tables and chairs.

Silent Auction
In addition to great food, there will be a Visual Feast of donated orchids at a Silent Auction!  Please bring a few of your spare amazing plants and be prepared to bid!  Proceeds will go to the Society. 

(There will be no August AOS judging this month.)